An explosion at a chemical plant sparked a massive fire and destroyed homes and businesses, but caused only minor injuries, officials said. The explosion just before 3 a.m. was felt miles away from the CAI Inc. plant about 20 miles north of Boston. About 10 people were injured, but none seriously, Danvers Fire Chief James P. Tutko said. “With the exception of chest pains, we don’t have anybody who’s seriously injured,” said Philip Cormier, the chief operating officer of Beverly Hospital, where he said “fewer than 10 patients” were treated. Fred Grenier, 25, was asleep in a rear, second-floor bedroom with his girlfriend, Trisha Lynch, 22, about 200 yards from CAI Inc. when the explosion woke him up. “The windows came caving in. The (air conditioner) fell right on me,” he said. His girlfriend’s sister, Jennifer Lynch, was asleep in a bedroom that faced the plant and needed stitches for cuts on her face, Grenier said... http://www.msnbc.msn.com

The UK has "confidence" it may be able to hand Basra's security to Iraqi forces "at some point next spring", the UK's Foreign Secretary has said. Margaret Beckett told MPs Iraq's fate was "hanging in the balance" and said it was necessary "to hold our nerve". "The progress of our current operation in Basra gives us confidence we may be able to achieve transition in that province... at some point next spring." The Foreign Office said this did not mean all UK troops would be leaving. The UK has 7,200 troops in the south of Iraq, mostly stationed in and around Basra. Mrs Beckett made clear the handover was not definite, saying that to leave too early would make the bloodshed "even worse". ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6173234.stm

The Los Angeles Police Department will begin installing digital video cameras in some patrol cars to better track how arrests are made — an issue under scrutiny since two amateur videos recently surfaced showing forceful tactics by officers. The City Council approved on $5 million Monday for the cameras, which they will begin placing in patrol cars starting next week. Officials hope to install cameras in most of the 300 patrol cars in that bureau by the end of next year, with the goal of expanding to the rest of the force over the next three years. LAPD Inspector General Andre Birotte Jr. said the cameras would help hold the department accountable as well as clear officers of unfounded allegations. "For that small percentage of officers that want to go on a wayward path, we would hope that those videos would help put them back on track," he said. "For those officers doing the right thing, if they are accused of misconduct and the video shows otherwise, you have it on tape."...http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-11-22-lapd-video_x.htm?csp=34

NATO's top commander urged member nations Wednesday to strengthen the alliance's force in Afghanistan, saying he was still about 15% short of requirements and warning that failure to provide more resources would make the mission longer and more costly. Supreme Allied Commander Gen. James L. Jones said NATO troops had battered the Taliban in open fighting in recent months. Following heavy losses, he predicted the insurgents would now resort to traditional guerrilla tactics. "If we're properly organized and we bring all elements of our efforts together in cohesion, we will win," Jones told reporters. "If we don't, it will be longer and it will be more difficult and it will be more costly." Jones said military planners were working with allies in the days ahead of next week's NATO summit in Riga, Latvia, to fill gaps in the 32,000 strong force in Afghanistan. But he acknowledged that an appeal he made in September for 2,500 extra troops, together with more planes and ...http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-11-22-afghanistan_x.htm?csp=34

A police official said narcotics officers were justified in returning fire on a 92-year-old woman they shot to death after she shot them as they tried to serve a warrant at her house. Neighbors and relatives said it was a case of mistaken identity. But police said the woman, identified as Kathryn Johnston, was the only resident in the house at the time and had lived there for about 17 years. "I'm mad as hell! The neighbors know where the drugs are — ask the neighbors!" Johnston's niece, Sarah Dozier, shouted to reporters. Assistant Chief Alan Dreher said the officers had a legal warrant and "knocked and announced" before they forced open the door. He said they were justified in shooting once they were fired upon. As the plainclothes Atlanta police officers approached the house about 7 p.m., "as we have it right now, the female opened fire on the officers. The officers returned fire, and struck and killed her," Dreher said...http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/22/national/main2205048.shtml?source=RSSattr=U.S._2205048

Nigerian militants in speedboats have kidnapped seven foreign oil workers from a ship off the coast of the Niger Delta, Italian oil firm Eni says. Eighty-three workers were on the supply ship when it was attacked by 10 armed men, the company said. The kidnapped workers are from Finland, Italy the Philippines, Poland, Romanian, the UK, Oil workers are regularly abducted in Nigeria by gangs saying they want a bigger share of oil revenues. The BBC's Alex Last says the line between criminal gangs and political militants is often blurred. Eni said the remaining 76 members of the crew are in good health and no damage to the ship was reported. A series of attacks in Nigeria's main oil producing region has cut output by about 25% this year. ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6172546.stm